News 06:00

BULLETIN 24 January 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA is going to challenge the Expropriation Bill
# Minister Mantashe says illegal mining costs the economy 60-billion-rand
# And the South African film The Last Ranger secures an Oscar nomination

# The DA has reiterated its strong opposition to the Expropriation Bill, which president Cyril Ramaphosa has now signed into law. The law, which has undergone a five-year process of public consultation and parliamentary deliberation, provides for land expropriation with no compensation. It also seeks to provide for certain instances where expropriation with no compensation may be appropriate in the public interest. The DA’s, Willie Aucamp, says their legal team is currently formulating the party’s case:

# Mineral and Petroleum Resources minister, Gwede Mantashe says the government is intensifying its fight against illegal mining through initiatives like Operation Vala Umgodi. The economy suffered an estimated 60-billion-rand loss last year due to illegal mining activities. According to Mantashe, illegal mining poses a serious threat to the economy, including significant risks to public safety and the environment:

# ANC Youth League president Collen Malatji will today lead a picket against the retrenchment of mineworkers. The protest, organised with the National Union of Mineworkers youth structure, will take place at the Minerals Council South Africa in Rosebank, Johannesburg. This follows ArcelorMittal’s planned closure of its steel business, affecting three-500 jobs. Youth league spokesperson Zama Khanyase demands immediate action to halt job losses and protect workers’ livelihoods:

# The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor says he is seeking arrest warrants against senior Taliban leaders in Afghanistan over the persecution of women, a crime against humanity. Karim Khan said there were reasonable grounds to suspect that Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and chief justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani bear criminal responsibility for the crime against humanity of persecution on gender grounds. Khan said that Afghan women and girls, as well as the LGBTQ community, were facing unprecedented, unconscionable, and ongoing persecution by the Taliban.

# Rugby: The Sharks welcome back a few players to balance those lost to injury as they prepare for their clash with Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship tomorrow. Two of South Africa’s most exciting talents form a midfield partnership with Ethan Hooker and Jurenzo Julius as the starting inside and outside centres. Vincent Tshituka is back in action and captains the team. Siya Kolisi is on a mandatory Springbok rest period. There are also welcome returns for wing Makazole Mapimpi and Jordan Hendrikse, who starts at fullback.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-49-cents and the euro at 19-rand-26-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-86-cents and Bitcoin trades at 104-thousand-230-dollar-80-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-754-dollars-8-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-86-cents a barrel.

# And finally: South Africa’s short film The Last Ranger has been nominated for best live-action short film at the 97th Academy Awards. Directed by Cindy Lee, the isiXhosa-language film explores rhino poaching and conservation efforts through the journey of a ranger and a young boy. Since its release, the film has garnered numerous awards and accolades, including the Green Fire Award at the American Conservation Film Festival and Best Short Narrative at the San Diego International Film Festival. The awards ceremony, hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien, will take place on 2 March.

Stay tuned for more news………….